Stephen A. Smith, an ESPN analyst, has urged the Los Angeles Lakers to evaluate a potential trade of center Deandre Ayton following his underwhelming performances in the first three games of their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In Game 3 of the first-round series, the Lakers suffered a decisive 131-108 loss at home. Ayton recorded 10 points, matching the output of Marcus Smart, but his overall effort drew sharp criticism from Smith. The 7-foot center has been accused of playing with a lack of intensity, prompting Smith to liken his style to someone relaxing on a beach.
“This damn Deandre Ayton. I mention he’s from the Bahamas, and people ask why I keep bringing it up. I say, because 50% of the time he plays like he’s lounging on the beach. Look at the faces of the Lakers players — it’s demoralizing. He’s 7 feet tall, but he doesn’t look like he’s gained a single pound. It doesn’t seem like he’s spent time in the gym working on his game or his body. He has skills, but minimal effort.”
Smith continued, “The lack of commitment is so glaring that it’s frustrating. If you’re the Lakers, you almost need to remove him from the locker room because his blatant lack of drive will affect the rest of the guys.”
Ayton, who signed a max contract with the Lakers, has struggled to assert himself on both ends of the floor. Through three playoff games, he is averaging 10.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting 48.5% from the field — numbers well below expectations for a player of his caliber. The Lakers now face a 0-3 deficit in the series, trailing the Thunder 3-0.
Smith’s comments have reignited debate over Ayton’s future in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old center was acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Suns in 2023, but his inconsistency has been a recurring theme throughout his career. Analysts suggest that if the Lakers fail to advance, a major roster shakeup could be on the horizon, with Ayton being a prime candidate for departure.
